2018 FORD GT engine coolant

UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW
Negative jump start post. See Jump Starting the Vehicle (page 137).
A.
Brake fluid reservoir.
See Brake Fluid Check (page 166).
B.
Cabin air filter access door. See
Cabin Air Filter (page 85).
C.
Washer fluid reservoir. See
Windshield Washers (page 57).
D.
Front hood sensor. See
Warning Lamps and Indicators (page 65).
E.
Hydraulic fluid reservoir for power steering, active aero and active suspension.
See
Power Steering Fluid Check (page 167).
F.
Positive jump start post. See
Jump Starting the Vehicle (page 137).
G.
Front power distribution box. See
Fuse Specification Chart (page 146).
H.
Engine coolant reservoir.
See Engine Coolant Check (page 162).
I.
Rear power distribution box 2. See
Fuse Specification Chart (page 146).
J.
Rear power distribution box 1. See
Fuse Specification Chart (page 146).
K.
Oil cap, reservoir and dipstick. See
Engine Oil Dipstick (page 161).
L.
160
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing MaintenanceE270336

ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAX
B
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note: Use a thick cloth to protect your hand
when removing the oil tank cap and dipstick.
To check the engine oil level consistently
and accurately, do the following:
1. Make sure the parking brake is on. Make
sure the transmission is in park (P) or
neutral (N).
2. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature (Coolant
temperature of 190°F (87.7°C) or
higher).
3. Turn the engine off and wait two to three minutes.
4. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
5. Open the rear hatch. See
Opening
and Closing the Hood (page 157).
6. Unscrew the oil tank cap to remove the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean,
lint-free cloth. See
Under Hood
Overview (page 160). 7. Replace the cap and dipstick and
remove it again to check the oil level.
See
Engine Oil Dipstick (page 161).
8. Make sure that the oil level is between
the minimum and the maximum marks.
If the oil level is at the minimum mark,
add oil immediately. See
Capacities
and Specifications (page 204).
9. If the oil level is correct, replace the cap
and dipstick and make sure it is fully
tightened.
Note: Do not remove the dipstick when the
engine is running.
Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.
Note: The oil consumption of new engines
reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km)
.
Note: High performance vehicles tend to
be driven in such a way the engine
experiences high speed and high load. As a
result, some oil consumption could occur
between oil changes. We recommend that
you check the oil level on a regular basis.
Adding Engine Oil WARNINGS
Do not remove the filler cap when
the engine is running.
Do not add engine oil when the
engine is hot. Hot engine oil can burn
you badly.
Note:
Use a thick cloth to protect your hand
when removing the oil tank cap and dipstick.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
To top up the engine oil level do the
following:
161
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing MaintenanceE230019

1. Unscrew the oil tank cap.
2.
Add engine oil by pouring oil that meets
Ford specifications into the oil tank.
See Capacities and Specifications
(page 204). You may have to use a
funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the oil level.
4. If the oil level is correct, replace the cap
and the dipstick and make sure it is
fully tightened.
Note: Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note: Make sure you install the oil tank cap
and dipstick correctly.
Note: Soak up any spillage with an
absorbent cloth immediately.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK WARNINGS
Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Do not put coolant in the windshield
washer reservoir. If sprayed on the
windshield, coolant could make it
difficult to see through the windshield. To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure
relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure. Steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when you loosen the cap
slightly. Do not add coolant further than the
MAX
mark. Check the concentration and level of the
coolant only when the engine is cold at the
intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 274).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and MAXmarks on the
coolant reservoir when the engine is cold.
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
The coolant reservoir is behind an access
panel on the left side of the of the engine
compartment. The cold MIN / MAX are
located on the front inboard corner of the
coolant reservoir. MAX is located just
below where the black top meets the
translucent reservoir lower. MIN is located
3/4 inch (20 mm) below the black top. Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.
Adding Coolant
WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
162
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing MaintenanceE244128

Note:
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use coolant or
windshield washer fluid outside of its
specified function and vehicle location.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants or additives as they can
cause damage to the engine cooling or
heating systems. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
It is very important to use prediluted
coolant meeting the correct specification
in order to avoid plugging the small
passageways in the engine cooling system.
See Capacities and Specifications
(page 204). Do not mix different colors or
types of coolant in your vehicle. Mixing of
engine coolants or using an incorrect
coolant may harm the engine or cooling
system components and may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Note: Coolants marketed for all makes and
models may not meet Ford specifications
and may cause damage to the cooling
system. Resulting component damage may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately. Only check the coolant level
or add coolant when the system is cold.
To top up the coolant level do the
following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure escapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add prediluted coolant meeting the correct specification. See
Capacities
and Specifications (page 204).
3. Add enough prediluted coolant to reach the correct level.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn
it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance. 5. Check the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.
Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.
Note: In case of emergency, you can add a
large amount of water without coolant in
order to reach a vehicle service location.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing.
Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
• Alcohol.
• Methanol.
• Brine.
• Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.
Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.
163
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing Maintenance

Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community
’s regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It may be necessary to decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
• A coolant concentration of 40%
provides improved overheat protection.
Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
Coolant Change
At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant meeting the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 204). Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat, the
coolant temperature gauge moves toward
the red zone:
A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating
cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
• Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long
as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your
164
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing Maintenance

WARNINGS
vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury. Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch the engine off.
2. Contact the Ford GT Concierge to obtain assistance. See About This
Manual (page 5).
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.
5. When the engine temperature cools, you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.
Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage. Engine Coolant Temperature
Management WARNING
To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not
be able to accelerate with full power until
the coolant temperature reduces. At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power in
order to manage the engine coolant
temperature. Your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place. The
amount of speed reduction depends on
vehicle loading, grade and ambient
temperature. If this occurs, there is no need
to pull off the road. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and shift the transmission into
park
(P).
165
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing Maintenance

2. Leave the engine running until the
coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position. After
several minutes, if the temperature
does not drop, follow the remaining
steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to
cool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart the engine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
If required, have an authorized dealer check
and change the transmission fluid at the
correct service interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 274).
The automatic transmission does not have
a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance
information for scheduled intervals for fluid
checks and changes. Your transmission
does not consume fluid. However, if the
transmission slips, shifts slowly or if you
notice a sign of leaking fluid, contact an
authorized dealer.
Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may
affect transmission operation and result
in damage to internal transmission
components. BRAKE FLUID CHECK WARNINGS
Do not use any fluid other than the
recommended brake fluid as this will
reduce brake efficiency. Use of
incorrect fluid could result in the loss of
vehicle control, serious personal injury or
death. Only use brake fluid from a sealed
container. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other
materials may result in brake system
damage or failure. Failure to adhere to this
warning could result in the loss of vehicle
control, serious personal injury or death. Do not allow the fluid to touch your
skin or eyes. If this happens, rinse the
affected areas immediately with
plenty of water and contact your physician. A fluid level between the MAX and
MIN lines is within the normal
operating range and there is no need
to add fluid. A fluid level not in the normal
operating range could compromise the
performance of the system. Have your
vehicle checked immediately. 166
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing MaintenanceE244129

VEHICLE STORAGE
At Ford, we fully understand that many
Ford Performance vehicles will see only
occasional operation and that many of the
vehicles, especially in northern climates,
may be stored for an extended period
during the winter months. If you plan on
storing your vehicle for 30 days or more,
read the following maintenance
recommendations to make sure your
vehicle stays in good operating condition.
We engineer and test all motor vehicles
and their components for reliable, regular
driving. Under various conditions,
long-term storage may lead to degraded
engine performance or failure unless you
use specific precautions to preserve engine
components.
General
Note:
Do not park your vehicle in facilities
that use parking platforms or elevators that
lift your vehicle. The vehicle Warranty may
not cover damage caused to your vehicle as
a result of using this type of equipment.
• Store all vehicles inside a garage or
building in a dry, ventilated place.
• Protect from sunlight, if possible. Use
a soft, breathable vehicle cover.
Body
• Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents. Engine
•
Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast
idle with the climate controls set to
defrost until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• If your vehicle is stored for more than
a few months, we recommend that you
change the engine oil before you use
your vehicle again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle and add
commercially available fuel stabilizer.
Run the engine for a minimum of one
minute to ensure that treated fuel has
circulated through the system.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Connect your vehicle to the battery
charger/maintainer provided with your
vehicle whenever you store your vehicle
for more than 2 weeks.
• Connect the wires as shown in the
illustration. See Changing the 12V
Battery (page 168).
178
Ford GT (CGX), enUSA, Edition date: 201711, First Printing Vehicle Care